Full engagement interlocking

Abstract

Interlocking surface elements are created in such a way that there is almost 100% engagement between the surfaces, so that they positively lock together, and will not cam with respect to each other. Each element comprises a number of uniformly dimensioned semi-conically shaped surfaces emanating from a common center and disposed in an alternating inverted configuration. Each surface has first and second edges extending in a longitudinal direction. A flat surface of substantially constant dimension in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction connects the first and second edges of adjacent, alternately inverted, semi-conically shaped surfaces, so as to maximize the engagement area between the elements. The elements may be of vacuum formed plastic, molded plastic, or metal stampings. They may be circular (e.g. disc shaped) in plan, and the semi-conically shaped surfaces may all be hollow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pair of interlocking elements each element comprising: a plurality of semi-conically shaped surfaces emanating from a common center and disposed in an alternately inverted configuration, and each having first and second edges extending in a longitudinal direction; and   a flat surface, of substantially constant dimension, in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and terminating in the first and second edges of adjacent alternately inverted, semi-conical surfaces, so as to maximize the engagement area between the elements.   
     
     
       2. A pair of elements as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of semi-conically shaped surfaces of at least one of said elements are hollow. 
     
     
       3. A pair of elements as recited in claim 2 wherein said constant dimension, of said flat surface in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, is approximately 10-40% of the largest cross-sectional dimension of said semi-conically shaped surfaces. 
     
     
       4. A pair of elements as recited in claim 1 wherein said constant dimension, of said flat surface in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, is approximately 10-40% of the largest cross-sectional dimension of said semi-conically shaped surfaces. 
     
     
       5. A pair of interlocking elements as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one of said elements is circular in plan. 
     
     
       6. A pair of interlocking elements as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of said elements is disc shaped in plane. 
     
     
       7. A pair of interlocking elements as recited in claim 1 wherein said elements are made of a material selected form the group consisting essentially of molded plastics, vacuum formed plastics, and cold flow metal stampings. 
     
     
       8. A generally disc shaped element having a center about which it is substantially symmetrical, and having: at least one surface comprising a plurality of uniformly dimensioned semi-conically shaped surface portions emanating from said center, and disposed in an alternately inverted configuration, and having first and second edges extending in a longitudinal direction; and   a flat surface, of substantially constant dimension, in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and terminating in the first and second edges of adjacent, alternately inverted, semi-conically shaped surface portions.   
     
     
       9. A disc shaped element as recited in claim 8 constructed of molded plastic. 
     
     
       10. A disc shaped element as recited in claim 8 constructed of vacuum formed plastic. 
     
     
       11. A disc shaped element as recited in claim 8 constructed as a metal stamping. 
     
     
       12. An element as recited in claim 8 wherein said semi-conically shaped surfaces are hollow. 
     
     
       13. An element as recited in claim 8 Wherein said constant dimension in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction is approximately 10-40% of the largest cross-sectional dimension of any semi-conically shaped surface. 
     
     
       14. A shaped element comprising at least a circular segment in plan, and having: at least one surface comprising a plurality of uniformly dimensioned semi-conically shaped surface portion from a common center and disposed in an alternately inverted configuration, and having first and second edges; and   means for effecting substantially 100% engagement between at least a plurality of said surface portions and corresponding surface portions of an identically shaped element.   
     
     
       15. An element as recited in claim 14 wherein said first and second edges extend in a longitudinal direction, and wherein said means for effecting substantially 100% engagement comprises a flat surface, of substantially constant dimension, disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and terminating in the first and second side edges of adjacent, alternately inverted, semi-conically shaped surface portions. 
     
     
       16. An element as recited in claim 14 wherein said dimension in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction is approximately 10-40% of the largest cross-sectional dimension of any semi-conically shaped surface. 
     
     
       17. An element as recited in claim 14 herein said semi-conically shaped surfaces are hollow and truncated. 
     
     
       18. An element as recited in claim 14 wherein said element is formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of molded plastics, vacuum formed plastics, and cold flow metal stampings. 
     
     
       19. A pair of interlocking elements as recited in claim 1 wherein said semi-conically shaped surfaces are truncated. 
     
     
       20. An element as recited in claim 8 wherein said semi-conically shaped surfaces are truncated.